Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Snake Bite ❯ Meetings Pt.2 ( Chapter 4 )

Meetings Pt.2

 

It did not take much time for the retrieval team to reach the village. Once there they broke into two teams without a word. The majority of the team set course for the Hokage Tower to report. Naruto though quickly turned to Konoha hospital with his cargo in tow.

 

"Naruto." a recognizable feminine voice called out.

 

He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder and Sasuke's slumped form to see his old childhood crush, teammate, and friend Harruno Sakura trotting over to him.

 

"Oh, hey there Sakura. Aren't you supposed to be going with Shikamaru to debrief with Baa-chan?"

 

"Shikamaru asked me to help you with Sasuke and anyway I most likely already have tons of work waiting for me at the hospital. And I can report to Tsunade-sensei anytime later."

 

Naruto just shrugged slightly. "Then grab an arm."

 

And together they raced off to the hospital with their old teammate, traitor, and friend draped between them.

 

Meanwhile at the Hokage Tower most of the team had been told to fill out their reports and return to their homes to get rest. That is except two.

 

Shikamaru and Taka were currently waiting outside the Hokage's office. Shikamaru was lounging in one of the waiting chairs while Taka stood a little ways off with her arms crossed over her chest.

 

"So Taka-san, care to explain anything to me before we face Tsunade-sama?"

 

"No."

 

Shikamaru just let out a breath and a mumble of "Troublesome." before going back to looking up at the ceiling.

 

A few minutes later the door to the office opened and both teens' attention snapped to it. A small group was being shown out by Tsunade's assistant, Shizune. Shikamaru recognized several of the departing were members of Konoha's council, including Hinata's father Hiashi among them.

 

The last two out were an elderly couple, the elders of the village. The scowls on their faces caused their wrinkles to form smaller scowls all over.

 

'Their not happy about something. And I think I know what.' Shikamaru sighed mentally as he lazily stood and followed Taka and Shizune into Tsunade's office.

 

After they were led in Shizune shut the door behind them. As she walked over to stand beside Tsunade who currently had her back to them as she looked out her huge window over looking the village. The two gave there own sort of bows to her turned back, Shikamaru just gave a sort of head nod and Taka gave a half bow which she held.

 

"I would say at ease but I doubt I need to for either of you." Tsunade sighed as she turned to find Shikamaru's lazy attention and Taka still holding her bow. "Anyway it would mean to relax and I can't have that from either of you yet."

 

"Either of us?" Shikamaru asked with a raised eyebrow.

 

"Yes either of you, Kenamaru-san, I feel, will be crucial in the near future."

 

"Kenamaru?!" Shikamaru's eyes widen a fraction of an inch in a lazy sort of way as he looked at Taka beside him, who had still not come out of her half bow.

 

"Yes Kenamaru Taka, I have offered her a few things in exchange for her services. I felt outside help was going to be needed with this Sasuke and Orochimaru situation."

 

"What are your orders for me Hokage-sama?" Taka asked, without moving a muscle.

 

Tsunade sighed and rubbed her forehead as she looked back out the window. Below the last members of the council that had just graced her with its presence were disappearing into the night.

 

flashback a few minutes ago

 

"Why are we bothering to retrieve a traitor and nuke-nin! Next you'll say we should try to get your old teammate Orochimaru back!" one of the many clan heads shouted.

 

There was a chorus of agreement from the others.

 

"But if we can gain information from the boy we can stop Orochimaru once and for all. And anyway we can not lose the last Uchiha and the Sharingan." Tsunade reasoned.

 

There were less mumbles and grumbles but they were still not satisfied.

 

She sighed again as she closed her eyes and motioned toward Shizune to begin showing the council out. "If you will please, I have debriefings to take from the retrieval team on their mission. I will send reports to all of you in do time."

 

The door opened and the council began to file out.

 

But before Tsunade could breath a little easier the raspy old voice of the male elder grabbed her attention. "We hope you are right about the boy."

 

"It would be a shame if we had to send the ANBU Black Ops inferno squad to eliminate the last Uchiha if he proved less then loyal." the woman pointed out sharply.

 

Tsunade's eyes snapped up and the fire in them even took the breath from the two hardened elders.

 

"Don't you touch him. If he proves less then loyal, then I will give the order. Not you." Tsunade finished off with a growl.

 

"Very well." the old man nodded before they both turned and left.

 

She then turned her back to the door as Shizune ushered Shikamaru and Taka in.

 

'Could I really give that order? Could I order the death of a young boy? Could I really kill the person he considers a brother?'

 

flashback end

 

"I'm placing Uchiha Sasuke under your protection. After his recovery, he should not leave the Uchiha estate unless necessary and he will not leave the village, unless I say otherwise. No other person besides myself, Shizune, Shikamaru, or Naruto may visit him unless I personally clear them. And he doesn't go anywhere without you beside him. Understood." Tsunade ordered briskly with firm resolution.

 

"Hai." Taka answered before taking a step back and then turning and briskly leaving the office.

 

Shikamaru watched her leave with half an eye before his attention was once again pulled back to his Hokage.

 

"Do you have all the reports from your team Shikamaru?" Tsunade asked as she sat back behind her desk.

 

"Ya, most of them."

 

"What about your own?" Tsunade cocked an eyebrow as a smirk spread across her face.

 

"Not as of yet, but sense I am here I could just report right to you."

 

"That you could but you do need to submit a written report as well."

 

"I will at some point."

 

"NOT AT SOME POINT YOU LAZY BAKA!!! I haven't even gotten the reports for your last three missions!" Tsunade exploded sending Shikamaru spiraling to the ground while Shizune sweat dropped.

 

It did not take Taka long to reach the other side of town where the hospital was located, or to long to find the secure room that had been set up for the retrieved Uchiha.

 

When she opened the door she found Sasuke was still asleep on the hospital bed. And next to him was Naruto, with Hinata next to him, asleep in hospital chairs.

 

"They've been like that sense Hinata got here." a girl's voice drifted into the room.

 

Taka looked over her shoulder to see the pink haired girl from the retrieval team standing at the door.

 

"It's nice that Naruto finally has someone to really love him." Sakura sighed as small smile graced her face.

 

Taka just let off a sigh as she walked over to the chairs and looked down at the sleeping pair. She then pulled her foot back and kicked the leg of Naruto's chair so it came out with a snap.

 

The resounding noises ranged from startled gasps, surprised squeaks, and confused shouts as Naruto and chair made a comical fall backwards.

 

Naruto grumbled loudly as Hinata began to help him back up. He pulled himself the rest of the way up and rushed into Taka's face.

 

"What the hell do you think you were doing?!"

 

"Waking you up. You need to report to Hokage-sama." Taka informed a stunned Naruto before turning to the other two girls. "You two must leave. Orders of Hokage-sama."

 

"Wait a minute, what?!" Naruto shouted again as the two girls expressions matched his words.

 

"Only those personally approved by Hokage-sama may visit the Uchiha."

 

Hinata stopped Naruto from running back into Taka's face with a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right Naruto-kun. I should be getting home anyway." she gave him a peck on the cheek. "Try and get some sleep tonight."

 

Naruto waited until Hinata left along with Sakura before turning his attention back to Taka. "So are you supposed to be his guard or something?"

 

"That is right."

 

Naruto sighed and deflated a bit before walking over to the door. He stopped and looked at his friend. "I'll be looking out for you, don't worry." he silently vowed. He then turned his attention back to Taka. "You make sure I know when he wakes up or if anything happens, got that." He then poofed out of existence before Taka could respond.

 

'Those eyes. So this is what a future Kage looks like.' Taka mused as she planted her self cross legged in one of the hospital chairs, her katana resting against her shoulder. 'Humph, I still fail to see what the fuss over this boy is about though.' she huffed as she kept vigil over her new ward.

 

Outside the hospital Hinata and Sakura parted ways with a wave. Sakura round the first corner before stopping with a smile on her face.

 

"You can come out you know." she chuckled as one Aburame Shino appeared leaning against the fence.

 

"How did you know?" he asked with out moving.

 

"A little friend told me, you could say." Sakura giggled as a kikaichu appeared on her shoulder. "Checking up on me? Or are you checking up on competition?" Sakura continued when she saw he coughed lightly and turned to look away.

 

She walked up to him and slipped an arm through his. "Don't worry I'm over him. I've got a new dark, handsome, quiet boy." she giggled again as he smiled down ay her and slipped an arm around her waist and lead them away.

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Words Used

Kage - literally means shadow, Naruto world used as one of highest ninja ranks

Check previous chapters for words used

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